We were very lucky to go on 4 trips at the end of 2010 to Kgalagadi. Some were only weekend visits and other a bit longer. The first was at the end of September and then a quick and unplanned one at the end of October. Mid December we were of again for a weekend and then back there on Christmas afternoon for a week.

We had four wonderful and very different visits. Each with its own treats. These were also our first time all on our own and without Leopard Cub. It felt strange not having her on the back seat giving us our cool drinks and snacks. Having one pair of eyes less than usual made a big difference.

DAY 1 – 24/9/2010

We booked 2 nights in TR and then one night each in Nosob, Gharagab and again Nosob. I still had to work the 23rd so we only left after 2 the afternoon. We arrived and booked in and went for a very short drive and back to TR to have a braai and rest.

On the 24th we drove all the way to Mata Mata and back. We were just in the river bed after the 1001 dunes getting there when on of the biggest Hyennas I’ve ever seen, came hopping and a jumping down the river and across the road up the dune and was gone in a few minutes.

After that we were sure that this trip will be a good one…..

Just a few kilometers on we spot a car driving on the wrong side of the road and next to it in the river bed something was walking…..

It was too far of to actually see what it was. I made a joke and said if that was a caracal……

As we drove nearer we could see some tuft ears and brown-red body and and and and…….

I could not believe we were so lucky. After a while the other car drove off and we were alone for a while with the caracal before it also went off over the dune.

Accept for a Battaleur my bird knowledge is not that good. Feel free to put names to my bird pictures….ok I know how a secretary bird looks like too and an ostrich it seems I do know more than one bird!!!

We saw this family of Battaleurs at one of the waterholes. There were a few jackals around, but they did not worry about each other. The Battaleurs flew up from time to time. My only wish that we could have been a bit closer to them….

I hope you enjoy the series of photos…………

More to follow.............

For the predator lovers hold on to your seats I'll post you some photos soon.......